✵ the conversation stopped and i looked down at the ring ✵

[letmetakeaselfie]

This has the makings of every Tony Stark party to date, plus a few. It's loud, dark; and so totally nineties. It's his era, he can't help himself. Big yellow sunglasses accompany his light-colored suit, hair slicked back and a smile glued on his face. He's ready to make this an affair no one will ever forget.

Before making his way out, he stops to see her, hanging in the doorway as she pulls on her dress. "Did I get you that?" he asks, slowly slipping into the room to help her zip. It's been a few days since he's seen her -- they've barely spoken. Sometimes he gets up long before her and is in the lab long after she gets home. Though they sleep in the same bed, it's as if they lead entirely separate lives at times. He owes her so much more, this week especially, and this is his grand occasion to make up all his misgivings.

He smiles softly, thinking of their night under the stars. Eating diner burgers and garlic fries and looking over their life together. It was impossible to look forward so they had looked back, enjoyed the past for what it was. Though he had never accepted there wouldn't be a future for them, he had had to entertain the possibility that his father would let him down one last time. Fortunately for everyone, Howard had come through, and just in the nick of time.

Tony's forty today and it feels ancient. He's known Pepper for well over half his life and here they are. Once her dress is secure, he pulls her into his arms from behind, hands winding possessively around her waist. "I can tell everyone to go home." Maybe he really should have listened -- made this an intimate affair. But the wedding would be small -- quaint and New England in every way. The engagement had to be big. West Coast big. He sighs against the side of her face, unable to keep from grinning.

--

He is very, very drunk when he gets up on stage, but no one here expects anything less. He has a glass of champagne and he calls Pepper out of the crowd. This is it; their moment. The one his family's been pushing him for since the moment they'd met. "Damn," he says into the mic as she stands, whistling lowly and shaking his head. "What took me so long?"

It gets laughter, of course, but then it's quiet like a library. The New Haven library where they first met, even. No music, no nothing. When Pepper joins him , a walk that seems to take forever, he doesn't hesitate to get down on one knee, his glass left on the podium as he pulls a box out of his pocket.

"I know you wanted to keep this small, so naturally I did the exact opposite." He drops the microphone so he can pry open the box, a giant but tasteful vintage stone shining up at her. Tony swallows back his nerves, playing up the cheese for the crowd, tipping his head with a lopsided smile. "Now that I'm not dying, what do you say?"

Comments

[letmetakeaselfie]

His breathing goes even shallower as he realizes the lace wasn't part of the dress at all, groaning softly as his free hand moves over the fabric, appreciating it and the woman underneath. "Of course I do," he replies instantly, easily. There are just some things you never forget. Slowly, with reverence, his fingers pull away from her slickness, Tony bringing his hand up and popping them into his mouth to try out her taste. But also so he can start to pull the dress off without making a mess, tugging it down as he presses his face into her shoulder, calling up the memory.

"I really thought your mom was gonna kill me," he says around a chuckle, even as the dress pools to the floor and he has to take a breath in just to hold it.

[efficacy]

Pepper shivers at his exploration, pebbling nipples pushing up against the fine lace, even as the loss of his touch between her thighs garners him a small whine of protest.

It hadn't been amusing at the time, but now Pepper gives a small, breathless laugh at the memory of them getting caught by her mom in a compromising embrace. "Getting killed would have probably been less painful than the lecture about responsibility and safe sex she gave us after calming down."

Her fingers tighten against his skin at the nape of his neck as she silky dress slips off her frame, her panties matching the bra -- of course. "Do you like it? I got this set just for tonight."

[letmetakeaselfie]

"Probably. Elaine Potts is a scary lady," he says in his defense, but it's all affection. He loves Pepper's mom like he had his own, they were all already a family. It was just a matter of finally making it official.

But then he has to take them in all over again, him still in his suit and her... "Do I... Pepper." He kisses the side of her face, hunger and love in his eyes in equal measure. "Is this my birthday present?" One hand comes up to squeeze a breast, covetously feeling her through the lace. It's a damn good birthday, maybe even the best.

"I love it. And you. God fuck you're gorgeous."

[efficacy]

Pepper gives a soft, amused hum, thinking of her mother just as fondly. Though Pepper's practical nature comes undoubtedly from her late father, the tendency to remain calm and steady under fire is pure Elaine -- until something really and truly shook their composure. Then it was just best to get out of the way.

She tips her head a little into the kiss, smiling. "Uh-huh," she replies to the question, trailing off into a quiet whimper as his hand covers her breast and squeezes gently through the fabric, the lace rubbing lightly against her nipple; a teasing hint of pink amid the fairly sheer white and yellow patterning. She lifts her free hand to cover his lightly on her breast, curving her back a little to bump her bottom against his erection, frustrated and aroused in equal measures by the fact that he's still wearing all of his clothes while she stands nearly naked. The picture they make in the mirror this way is so plainly erotic that it sends another jolt of heat down her abdomen, pulsing hotly between her thighs.

"Love you, too," she sighs, rubbing her cheek against his. "Happy birthday, husband-to-be."

[letmetakeaselfie]

His eyes close briefly, nuzzling back against her as those words tug a string in his chest. Tony leans in to kiss her gently, though it's brief, drawing himself away from her as she leans back. His hand remains under hers though as he shifts around to her front, bowing his head so she never loses sight of herself in the mirror. If she got these beautiul panties for him he's absolutely going to enjoy them.

His cheek rubs against her other breast, sighing at the feeling of the scratchy fabric and her tightening nipple underneath. Though some men might prefer a little more to grab a hold of, Pepper's breasts were perfect in his eyes, just like everything else about her -- body and otherwise. He nudges his nose against her nipple, pushing the lace up against it and smiling softly.

"Are you looking? Look at the mirror, not at me," he reminds her gently, wanting her to see herself the way he sees her. Tony moves to stand on his knees, nose hitting her stomach just below the bra line, his tongue darting out to trace his mouth's downward track. One hand grips her wrist while he flips off his loafers impatiently, pressing his lips against her belly button then below, then over the band of lace holding up the tiny scrap of fabric. His other hand moves to squeeze her ass through them, looking all the way up at her through dark lashes. "Thank you."

[efficacy]

Her confusion lasts only a moment when he pulls away to switch sides, swiftly forgotten as he nuzzles and nudges against her lace-covered breast like a large cat, his gentle attentions drawing soft sighs from her lips.

She can only nod her head and wet her dry lips with her tongue at Tony's reminder, her hands going to his shoulders. She feels a little dizzy when he begins his meandering journey downward, the reverent, almost worshipful quality to his caresses stealing her breath away. She does her best to watch through the mirror, but she can't help but peek down every once in a while. A soft noise, not quite a whimper, escapes her at the kiss to her navel, her abdominal muscles jumping a little under his lips at the one that follows -- the squeeze of her buttock draws out a little gasp.

One of her hands delves into his hair to pet gently, the other touching his cheek gently, thumb brushing against his bottom lip. She's not sure what exactly he's thanking her for, but she smiles softly in response, watching him under lowered lids and feeling her love for him fill every fiber of her being in this very moment.

[letmetakeaselfie]

He feels his face heat up under her attentions, turning to kiss her thumb when she touches his lips, returning her smile with a loving gaze to back it up. A second ago his movements were fueled by sex and booze, but now it's obvious where his mind is going, eyelashes brushing over her skin as he nudges the lacy panties with his nose experimentally.

"Are you watching? Do you see how perfect you are?" His hand squeezes again, with more intent this time, whimpering softly in frustration. He doesn't want to pull away to get rid of his clothes but it's getting seriously hot in here. Tony kisses her right over her clit before reluctantly pulling back to mess with his shirt buttons impatiently.

[efficacy]

She breathes a soft sigh of pleasure at the nudge, fingers tugging gently and lightly at his hair, a quiver of excitement fluttering across her belly at the words.

"I'm watching," she says softly, and though she notes the rosy hue of her cheeks and the soft, lambent look in her eyes, her attention is still grabbed by the way they look together rather than her individual perfection. She thinks Tony is biased in that regard, anyway.

A cooing little moan leaves her lips as his brush a kiss over her lace-covered clit, a frisson of heat blooming inside her; her fingers tighten in his hair again, but do not hinder him from pulling back. Slow, shallow breaths pass through her parted lips as she watches Tony grapple with his shirt buttons, her free hand lifting up to carefully start pulling the pins from her hair. The little bits of metal tinkle uselessly on the floor somewhere as she slowly lets her wavy tresses down from the elegant coiffure.

[letmetakeaselfie]

He almost rips the oxford in his haste, but manages to shrug it off along with his sports jacket without damage to himself or his clothing. The arc reactor's pale light encompasses them both and catches his breath, looking up at her with his bare chest heaving from the effort. He can settle for her appreciating them both, together, even if he'd rather she understood. Tony can't be that much of a hypocrite, he's never understood what she saw in him, since day one. Even when he was an arrogant asshole kid.

One of the pins glances off his bicep, but he doesn't notice, too consumed in looking up at her, lost in her beauty. "Good," he breathes out dryly, swallowing as he moves back to his task, one palm smoothing down over her thigh and calf before resting on the heel of her pump, gripping it with a little inhale through his nose. "Keep watching."

Still holding her shoe, he rubs his nose over her through the panties, but strays to the creamy inside of her thigh, flicking his tongue out to taste and gently drag his teeth across. He intends to show his gratitude to every inch of her while the mirror is here to cement it in her memory.

[efficacy]

"Uh-huh," she acknowledges quietly, shivering a little as his hand skates down her leg and to her shoe, breath quickening minutely in response as she wonders where he's going with this.

Her fingers ghost along the back of his neck, smothering another tiny noise when he nudges her with his nose, sucking in a lungful of air at the sensation. But then he licks at her inner thigh and she can't help the soft oh! that escapes her at the drag of teeth, the muscles of her thigh twitching as her gaze flickers between the view in the mirror and that which she can see looking down her body, trembling fingers delving softly in his hair as she awaits his next move with bated breath.

[letmetakeaselfie]

Worship is a good term for what he's doing, reverently moving his lips down to her knee, hand smoothing over her ankle before tracing the straps of her shoe. Tony looks up at her, smiling as he catches her eyes. She's supposed to be looking in the mirror, but he can't help the way she makes him feel, chest full to bursting with how much he loves her.

"My beautiful goddess... fiancee. That whole thing was real in there, right? Not a dream." His smile turns a little hazy, kissing the side of her knee before trailing down over her calf, his free hand running a ghostly parallel against her other leg.

[efficacy]

Pepper shifts her weight on one hip, swallowing and trembling faintly under his gentle touches and reverent press of lips. It's hard for her to remain so passive, usually preferring a bit more active role in their lovemaking; but it seems important to Tony, that she lets him do this.

"Not a dream," she confirms gently, smiling lovingly down at him and brushing her fingers against his cheek before he ducks out of her reach. "Is it really that hard to believe?"

[letmetakeaselfie]

"That it took me this long?" he asks, looking up at her, pillowing his cheek against her thigh as his hands continue their track, fingers rolling over her ankles like they're the best ankles he's ever seen. Mostly because they are. "Yeah. That part's hard to believe, even for how thick-headed I am."

A brief frown creases his face but then it's gone, stooping at her feet to kiss each toe -- her shoe for the ones hidden by the leather.

[efficacy]

"Well, you know, there's a saying. If something's well planned, it's already halfway done." And they'd certainly taken their time thinking about it.

"...Are you seriously kissing my feet?" she says on a small giggle, perhaps breaking the sexy mood a little, but she's unable to help her endeared amusement.

[letmetakeaselfie]

He smiles up at her, pushing his nose over the top of her foot. "Problem?" Tony drags his lips along her sole, enjoying the imagery he must be creating for her in the mirror. She can laugh if she wants, it won't deter him in the least.

[efficacy]

"It's not a problem, just..." her words cut off on another light laugh, leg twitching. It's not that her feet are ticklish, per se, but that does admittedly tickle a little.

[letmetakeaselfie]

He bites the inside of his lip to keep from laughing too, remaining focused on his singular task. Tony gives her foot a break, running his tongue along the strap of her shoe. And then he's moving back up before she can react, gently pressing his fingers into her hip while his face goes between her legs. He doesn't pause, mouthing the lace gently with a deep moan meant to reverberate.

[efficacy]

Her lingering chuckle turns into an inarticulate shout as he suddenly rears up and buries his face between her thighs, her stomach hollowing as it contracts sharply -- one hand flies out to clutch Tony's shoulder tightly and the other at his hair, trembling and moaning at his hot breath against her sensitive flesh, the press of his mouth and the lace, the vibrations of his voice. It's a miracle she stays standing up instead of tipping right over. "Oh, Tony," she sighs as she cracks her eyes open enough to see the picture they make in the mirror, blatantly sexy and sensual.

[letmetakeaselfie]

He rumbles in response, raking his nails lightly over her hip bone, moving the lace aside and replacing it with each little movement. Tony begins to add his tongue, tasting her through the fabric and humming his approval. He enjoys the way she clings to him, pressing his other hand into the back of her thigh to encourage it even more blatantly, shaking his head gently to wind her up even further. He likes the tease of it, and that these items were purchased with him in mind. Why would he want them off so soon? His other hand squeezes the back of her thigh firmly in farewell before creeping higher, arching up a little so he can reach her breast, dragging his palm along the lace and kneading her through it.

He knows too that she's still watching and that makes his cock jump against the closure of his pants. He's enjoying that too, being trapped and shut away while he enjoys her and makes her feel good. His fiancee. Wow.

[efficacy]

Pepper cries out softly when his tongue enters the play, hips twitching in reaction and bumping her against his mouth. "Oh god, oh!" A trembling moan escapes her lips as Tony shakes his head, her entire body quaking a little as more wetness pools between her thighs and dampens the fine lace even further, fingers tightening their grip on him. When she'd gotten this set with tonight in mind, she'd never pictured it prompting anything like this, the sheer eroticism of what they're doing heating her blood.

She loves everything about the slow tease of Tony caressing her through the lace to the feel of his warm, calloused hands on her bare skin, she really does -- but she's also starting to feel the frustration of not being able to do much to reciprocate other than rake her fingers through his hair; at the fact that as exquisite as his mouth feels, the lace runs just enough interference for it to not be quite enough.

"Tony, please..." she pleads on a little whine just as his palm finds her breast, gasping as her pebbled nipple rubs against the garment and his hand, her stomach clenching in response.

[letmetakeaselfie]

At her words, his face leans up, catching her eyes against his -- dark with arousal and the need to please her; to give her exactly what she wants. His tongue runs against his bottom lip, fingers still rubbing against her nipple through the bralet while he waits.

"Yeah? What is it, honey? What do you want?" He rubs his cheek against her hip, his other hand gently easing her panties down at a snail's pace. "Tell me, let me make it happen for you."

[efficacy]

She groans a little when he pulls his mouth away, her breathing coming a little faster and shallower now. Her head spins a bit at the combination of his words and rubbing fingers, having trouble finding words for a moment.

"I-- yes, take them off," she sighs in agreement as he begins inching the panties down, fingers curling tightly into his hair. "I need more, please, I need you."

[letmetakeaselfie]

His hand runs down over her ribs before settling at her stomach, pressing gently to give her something to lean against. "You have me, Pepper. Keep talking to me." Tony pulls the garment down and away, though he doesn't let them fall yet, holding them at her knees as he leans in to repeat the kiss from earlier, flicking out his tongue at the last moment.

[efficacy]

Pepper sucks in a sharp breath at the contact, unhindered by the lace, body bowing forward slightly and leaning against his hand, her own grasping onto his shoulders tightly on an exhaled cry of pleasure, a shudder working its way up her spine. Her eyes squeeze shut as heat spreads through her, belatedly remembering Tony's request to keep talking.

"God, ah, yes-- oh Tony, that feels so good... god, I love you," she whimpers, panting breaths escaping between parted lips. "Don't stop, please don't stop."

[letmetakeaselfie]

He wouldn't stop now even if he wanted to for some reason, effectively egged on by her voice -- he loves her voice. Already ragged from his attentions, which only serves as further motivation for him. Though he's nervous; afraid he's somehow forgotten how to do this. He'll remember, he convinces himself, though all his movements are edged in uncertainty and uncharacteristic insecurity.

Slowly; and most carefully he licks inside, hand continuing its track down until his thumb can serve the duel purpose of holding her open for his mouth and provided added stimulation to her clit. The panties finally drop from his grip, pooling around her ankles as his other hand braces gently against her knee. Despite his nerves, it's obvious he's fully committed to this; as in it as the ring on her finger would suggest.